The Alpha

[Monster "Drowner" Lv2 Defeated!]

[Reward Settlement: Victory Through Superiority, Base Rating D, Overkill Bonus +1—D+, Decapitation Deterrence +3—C+, Main Quest +3—B+]

[Final Rating: B+]

[Loot Acquired: Drowner Heart Essence Fluid, Lesser Experience Orbs *10, Drowner's Chest *4]

[Main Quest Completed: The Beginning of the Path of Monster Hunting (Defeated Monster Drowner 1/1)]

[Reward Obtained: Appraisal LV1]

The flood of information made Ailin's mind buzz like a school bell ringing incessantly.

Coupled with the [Monster Hunting] skill instantly draining his stamina.

Ailin's vision went black, and he fell directly onto the Drowner's corpse.

He only managed to stand up again after more than ten seconds.

The Witcher Master's indifferent face was just a step away.

This has to be revenge! Ailin thought.

The training ground center was only eight or nine meters from the edge.

With the Witcher Master's strength, he definitely could have reached Ailin before he fell onto the corpse.

But Vesemir didn't.

"Ailin... how did you do that?"

A surprised voice came from beside him.

Ailin and Vesemir simultaneously looked at Leto, who had spoken.

Leto, holding the Drowner's head, looked utterly incredulous.

For an apprentice to kill a Drowner with a steel sword was already nearly impossible.

And the method of killing was decapitation!

The hide, muscles, and even the bones – every layer of the Drowner's structure was protected by Chaos Magic.

Only by using a silver sword could one weaken or even ignore these protections.

A steel sword? Decapitation?

Not only was this impossible for an apprentice, but even for him, a Witcher with thirty years of experience, it was impossible.

The Witchers who had come to watch also gathered around.

They were equally shocked by Ailin's strength.

Blood still gushed from the headless corpse.

Noticing the shocked expressions of those around him, Ailin finally understood what an incredible feat he had accomplished.

But at the same time.

He had fallen into another predicament—how to bluff his way through Leto's question?

Just as Ailin was frantically thinking, racking his brain for an excuse, a deep voice saved him.

"Leto, not all Witchers are the same."

The Witchers surrounding Ailin and the headless Drowner parted to create a path for the voice.

"Early school experimental records mention that apprentices who undergo perfect mutations during the Trial of Grasses have a slight chance of awakening the Witcher's Eye."

"Those who possess it can see the flow of Chaos Magic within a monster's body."

Upon clearly identifying the newcomer, the Witchers lowered their heads and greeted him:

"Chief."

"Good morning, Chief."

The man called Chief nodded in response.

The man had long black hair and a grayish-white complexion.

His rare gray cat-like eyes seemed to hold the perpetual snow of the Blue Mountains.

He was a man like Kaer Morhen.

Though it was a bit strange, this was Ailin's first impression.

But the Witcher's Eye, which can see the flow of Chaos Magic?

Does the game have such a setting?

The Chief nodded approvingly at Ailin, then glanced at the gruesome head in Leto's hand and said calmly, "Leto, even after passing the Trial of the Mountains, your pursuit of knowledge must not stop."

Fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on Leto's forehead. He repeatedly agreed, acting like a poor student being questioned by a teacher.

"Yes, Chief. After I finish teaching these apprentices, I'll head to the library."

Vesemir: ?

"Aren't I the one teaching the apprentices?"

"It's fine, Leto. I've got the apprentices covered. You should go," Vesemir said expressionlessly.

Leto: ?

Revenge, is it!

Seeing the Chief look over again, Leto quickly changed the subject:

"Vesemir, did you and Ailin have some other agreement just now?"

As soon as he spoke, nearly twenty pairs of eyes instantly focused on Vesemir's face.

The corners of Vesemir's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Seeing the spotlight on him, Ailin quickly refused:

"No, no, it was just a joke."

Vesemir's expression improved considerably upon hearing Ailin's words.

He unbuckled the sword clasp on his armor, and along with its scabbard, slowly drew the silver sword "Elsa" from its wrap. After looking at it with reluctance for two glances, he handed it over to Ailin, then turned his head to the apprentices and said:

"Apprentices, I'll teach you another lesson."

"Witchers of the School of the Wolf value their promises more than their lives."

His resonant voice echoed through the gray castle, sounding exceptionally firm.

"He sure talks a good game," Ailin thought. "It would be more convincing if the hand holding out the sword wasn't trembling."

Now it was the Witcher apprentices' turn to be in a dilemma.

"Take it, apprentice."

The Chief's deep voice rang out, surprising everyone.

A Witcher's promise was indeed worth more than their life, but enough Oren was also worth more than a Witcher's life.

Hunting monsters was, after all, a way to earn money with one's life.

Moreover, this was 17,325 Oren.

So, they had only heckled Ailin before he killed the Drowner.

Leto, who always spoke without thinking, must be regretting it now.

But why would the Chief say something like that?

Seeing that Ailin hadn't moved, the Chief was unconcerned and continued speaking to Vesemir:

"Vesemir, after the Trial of the Mountains, you will take Ailin with you on commissions."

"Within five years, forge a silver sword tailored for him, and get your own sword back. Is that acceptable?"

Vesemir had no objections.

Forging a weapon that suited him wasn't just about having enough money.

It required finding the right materials, cooperation from the blacksmith, and even a bit of luck during the forging process to obtain a weapon that satisfied him.

To others, "Elsa" might be worth 17,325 Oren.

But to him, it was worth far more than that sum.

What's more, A promise was worth more than life.

He had already planned to give the sword to Ailin.

"Of course," Vesemir nodded and said to Ailin, "Take it."

Seeing this, Ailin could only accept "Elsa."

The silver sword in its scabbard was almost as tall as he was.

In front of Vesemir, Ailin carefully cradled it in his arms, making sure the scabbard didn't scrape the ground.

Then, at Vesemir's signal, he followed the others out of the training grounds.

By the fence outside the training grounds.

Leto had, at some point, moved all the other cages covered with black cloth.

"Very good, apprentices, let's continue our practical lesson."

"Who's next?"

No one responded.

Vesemir looked down, frowning at the three apprentices, and found them all shifting uncomfortably, unwilling to step forward. He asked:

"What's wrong?"

After a long period of hesitation, Huus, the sleepyhead, timidly poked his little head out. He cast a longing glance at "Elsa" in Ailin's arms before asking:

"If we win, can we also get a silver sword?"

The other two little heads looked at Vesemir expectantly.

Vesemir: ?

Newcomer, new book, please follow, recommend, and collect! Internal review passed, please rest assured to invest!